Hooded Warbler Habitat (Where to look)

Hooded Warbler Breeding Habitat

• found in both the interior and edges of mature, riparian (wet), deciduous forest with dense understory
• understory plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: rhododendron, barberry, viburnum, mountain laurel, and spicebush
• shrubby forest edge plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: blackberry thickets, hawthorn thickets, and non-native multiflora rose
• may favor nesting on hillside terrain within mature forest
• often found in shrubby openings in the forest canopy, such as tree-fall gaps

Hooded Warbler Migratory Habitat

• like most warblers - will be most visible over the spring/fall migration periods (May/June and September/October)
• even during migration will favor dense forest understory and forest edge brush

Hooded Warbler Behavior (What to look for)

• frequently twitches tail and exposes white outer tail feathers
• forages at eye level or lower - rarely high in tree - in fact, check understory/shrubbery before trees
• males do move into trees to sing
• shy, skulking bird - often seen only partially - view is usually obstructed by dense understory
• moves quickly from shrub to shrub - always on the move
• males may return to same breeding grounds year after year
• spends more time foraging on the ground than most warblers - often inspecting leaf litter

Notes from Anonymous Birders

“larger than most warblers”

“usually have to go within forest to find one”

“definitely check gaps within the forest near a water source”

“a bird of the shadows”

Indicator Species

Ovenbird, Veery, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler

Good Luck!